Herizon Cup Returns in November with Eight Female Academies
Herizon Sports Initiative (HSI) has announced the third edition of the Herizon Cup, scheduled for November 6 and 7 at Bariga Stadium CMS in Lagos.
The grassroots female football tournament will feature eight female football academies and more than 200 young players, with between 1,000 and 1,500 spectators, sports administrators, corporate leaders and scouts expected over the two days.
The tournament is part of HSI’s wider programme aimed at developing female football in Nigeria by creating access, mentorship and career pathways for young girls.
Since its launch in 2024, the Herizon Cup has grown from four participating teams in its first edition to eight in 2025, while directly engaging more than 260 young female footballers and over 600 stakeholders, including parents, coaches and sports professionals.
HSI has also organised the Ibidoyin Aina Cup in 2024 and 2025, while in March 2026 it partnered with the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) to deliver a leadership and mentorship programme for 100 girls from 20 football academies.
In July, the initiative pioneered the Lagos Queens Cup, an international women’s football scouting tournament organised with the LSFA, AFEC, Nakamura, 36 Lion Investment and the Ayisat Yusuf Foundation. The tournament attracted scouts from Finland and Sweden in a bid to create international opportunities for emerging Nigerian talent.
‘The Herizon Cup is more than just a football tournament; it is a structured platform within our broader commitment to developing female football in Nigeria and creating long-term pathways for young girls,’ said HSI founder Ibidiyoin Aina.
She said the 2026 edition would focus on ‘deepening our impact, strengthening grassroots structures, and expanding opportunities for girls both on and off the pitch.’
BAMA will serve as the official sponsor of this year’s tournament, with HSI also calling for additional corporate organisations, CSR teams, sports brands and media partners to support the initiative.
